Hillsborough County taxpayers would contribute up to $796 million to help build the Tampa Bay Rays’ new stadium, and the County Commission is scheduled to vote on the deal Friday, Aug. 28.

The tentative agreement, announced Friday, Aug. 21 by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, commits the county to the largest public share of a roughly $2.36 billion ballpark project planned for Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus. The Tampa City Council votes first, Thursday, Aug. 27.

For Apollo Beach and Ruskin residents, the county’s contribution draws from revenue streams they already pay into. According to WUSF’s breakdown of the 134-page funding agreement, the $796 million comes from:

  • $303 million in Tourist Development Tax bonds and reserves
  • $360 million from the county’s half-cent Community Investment Tax
  • $103 million from other county funds
  • $30 million from a federal disaster-recovery fund

The Rays would pay $4 million in annual rent to the county, which would own the ballpark under a 35-year lease. A nonrelocation agreement would require the team to remain in Hillsborough County for the same period.

The Rays’ private share is approximately $1.37 billion, or about 60% of the total cost. The team is responsible for all construction cost overruns, according to Tampa Bay Business & Wealth.

Commissioner reservations

The nonbinding memorandum of understanding passed 5-2 on May 20. But at least two commissioners who voted yes in May have since expressed doubts.

Commissioner Chris Boles told the Tampa Bay Times on Aug. 20 he was prepared to vote against the deal as it stood. Commissioner Christine Miller said the same day, “Right now, the details seem to change every time it suits one man’s run for Mayor,” a reference to Tampa City Councilman Bill Carlson’s 2027 mayoral bid, Florida Politics reported.

At least 65% of Community Benefits Agreement commitments would go to Hillsborough County, reflecting the county’s larger investment, according to Tampa Bay Business & Wealth. Commission Chair Ken Hagan told Florida Politics on Aug. 19 that the county negotiated to secure “a majority of the projects” in the CBA. Hagan has said the county will not schedule its vote until the Tampa City Council approves its portion first.

What happens next

Tampa’s contribution dropped from $180 million under the earlier MOU to $80 million, structured as four annual $20 million payments that the city expects to recoup from future property-tax growth. No Community Investment Tax dollars would fund Tampa’s share.

The Rays plan to begin site demolition in December 2026 and start work on the stadium foundation and bowl by March 2027, targeting Opening Day 2029. The team’s use agreement at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg expires after the 2028 season.

Even if both governments approve the deal next week, additional steps remain: bond validation, creation of a new Community Development District and approvals for tax-increment financing, all expected to take additional months.

The County Commission meets Friday, Aug. 28. Residents can watch the meeting on HillsboroughCounty.org or attend in person at the County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.